Understanding Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Cerebral palsy refers to a heterogeneous group of conditions involving permanent, nonprogressive motor dysfunction that affects muscle tone, posture, and/or movement. These conditions are due to abnormalities of the developing fetal or infantile brain resulting from a variety of causes. Although the disorder itself is not progressive, the clinical expression may change over time as the central nervous system matures. The motor impairment generally results in limitations in functional abilities and activity, which can range in severity. Multiple additional symptoms often accompany the primary motor abnormalities, including altered sensation or perception, intellectual disability, communication and behavioral difficulties, seizure disorders, and musculoskeletal complications.

320 Alikes with Cerebral Palsy

Learn from others
who are experiencing
Cerebral Palsy.

Join Now

Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- CP
- Infantile Cerebral Palsy and Congenital Monoplegia
- Infantile Cerebral Palsy and Congenital Hemiplegia
- Infantile Cerebral Palsy and Congenital Diplegia
- Infantile Cerebral Palsy and Congenital Quadriplegia

Signs & symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. The symptoms can become more severe or less severe over time. They also vary depending on the part of the brain that was affected.
Common signs may includes:
Delays in reaching motor skill milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling
Variations in muscle tone, such as being too floppy or too stiff
Delays in speech development and difficulty speaking
Spasticity, or stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes
Ataxia, or a lack of muscle coordination
Tremors or involuntary movements
Excessive drooling and problems with swallowing
Difficulty walking
Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand
Neurological problems, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness
Most children are born with CP, but they may not show signs of a disorder until months or years later. Symptoms usually appear before a child reaches age 3 or 4.

Diagnosis

get an accurate diagnosis and to rule out other conditions.Pediatrician can either make a diagnosis or recommend a specialist if there is a suspicion that the child has any issues with motor development, muscle tone, or coordination and balance.

Treatment

A variety of treatment options can improve symptoms and quality of life for babies and children. Many interventions can be started immediately after a diagnosis is given.
- Medications: Various medications help control spastic movements, seizures, relieve pain, and manage other symptoms and related conditions: Baclofen or other muscle relaxants,Diazepam, Anticonvulsants, Anticholinergics, Antacids, Stool softeners/laxatives and Sleep aids
- Surgery: critical part of treatment for many children with CP. Surgical procedures may improve mobility or manage pain. Common procedures include tendon or muscle release, the repair of hip dislocations, and scoliosis surgery.
- Therapie: different types of therapies are used for children and babies with cerebral palsy. They can improve physical, mental, social, and learning deficits. If started early, therapies for cerebral palsy can reduce impairment and lessen the risk of developing other associated conditions.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital